From Disco to Dusk

I made more than a dime from this banger

The world in her hands. Image by Milad Farhani.

All these beautiful shadows stare as
I thunder through the queue, harem
basilisk tongues catch my eye, !HA!
dreamers
my ice black bangs sway side to side
sidelined side-shuffled, the saddled
masses rouse in waiting, for a ride?
or a RUSH
and as the hearts of man flutter with
each inescapable air kiss from my lips
catching their breath in my webbing

Look don’t touch, as the world spins
revolving spheres of luminosity spur
a room full of raving beatnik offbeats
spinning
just for me, hypnotized by the gloss
the glitter, the glamour, the gravitas
gyrating in tandem with the brassy
BOOM
as the bass ↓drops↓ on cue snappish
sweat beads (ever so slowly) down my
dangerous décolletage, so revel in it

Knowledge is pervasive as prying eyes
bob their altruistic heads to the beat
circling, closing in, circumspections
matter
so my matter-of-fact manner brushes
laymen aside as they scrum, as they
susurrate, yet I can’t hear the violent
voices
I’m baroque and bedazzled, hear me
roaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar
so why do I suddenly feel so feverish?

Clones of me leer at my misfortunate
tottering lolloping, teetering limping
my vAcUoUs ViSiOn blurs, why won’t
anyone help?
scabrous strobing lights shape a scene
of a doe-eyed disco phoenix flickering
dimming, last light arms outstretched
seized
gripped by helical hands I’m spiraling
doors wide shut, dear God I PROMISE
to never ever be a barren heart beauty
again…

Women radiate
Dignity respect always
In all watchful ways

© Edward Swafford 2025 

The world in her hands. Image by Milad Farhani from Pexels.

Thank you for reading/listening!

This piece was “chosen for wider distribution” on one writing platform (1000+ views), did the rounds on a smaller platform, and will run in an Australian lit journal this coming June.

It’s possibly the best poem I’ve written and proof that poetry can rival other genres of writing (and art) when lightning strikes.

So, summon the muse, focus on causes you’re passionate about, and herald some electricity.